Edmonton Oilers linked to shocking blue line trade by NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman

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Tom Banks
November 1, 2024 (3:29 PM)

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The Edmonton Oilers are clearly in the market for help on the blue line, and now Insider Elliotte Friedman has linked them to Chicago's Seth Jones.

The Edmonton Oilers have had a very rocky start to their 2024/25 campaign, and with clear issues on the blue line, it's no secret that they are looking to upgrade in a big way. Unsurprisingly, GM Stan Bowman has reportedly been 'aggressive' in looking for top-four help, with Insider Elliotte Friedman listing some intriguing targets for the team.

There were the usual suspects like Cam Fowler of the Ducks, Connor Murphy of the Blackhawks, and Matt Benning just as he was flipped to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but now, an intriguing new target has been revealed.

«Another one is Seth Jones, but I don't know how on earth they could make that work,» Friedman said.

While Seth Jones would be a major upgrade alongside Darnell Nurse, there the little issue of his $9.5 million salary, which runs through until the end of the 2029/30 season, which the Oilers certainly wouldn't be able to pay. However, if they believe he is the missing piece to make a Stanley Cup run, then perhaps getting a third team involved by giving up significant draft capital could make it work, but it would be a major risk.

One thing that can't be ignored is Bowman's connection to Seth Jones, whom he signed to that huge deal while still in Chicago, which shows a clear love for the player that he may want to get back on his team. Ultimately however, a target such as Fowler or even Rasmus Andersson would be much better for the Oilers, so now we wait and see how Bowman fixes the right side of their blue line.